Liberty to forgive loans of qualified, missionary graduates

To help Liberty University graduates enter the mission field more quickly, Liberty University’s Center for Global Engagement and Enrollment Management division will begin offering a loan forgiveness program this spring. The program will pay up to 20 percent per year of the balance of federal student loans (up to $30,000 per individual) to qualifying alumni.

“The Statement of Mission and Purpose for Liberty University states in part that, ‘the university educates men and women who will make important contributions to their workplaces and communities, follow their chosen vocations as callings to glorify God, and fulfill the Great Commission,’” said Chris Johnson, senior vice president for Enrollment Management. “Liberty’s mission is to Train Champions for Christ and we are excited to be able to help our missionary graduates as they advance the Great Commission on the front lines.”

Johnnie Moore, senior vice president for communications, said the greatest barrier in raising support for future missionaries is college debt.

“Make no mistake about it, Liberty intends on getting more students to the mission field more quickly by building this bridge of generosity over the chasm of debt,” he said. “This is the first time in Christian history when we can so clearly see the finish line of the Great Commission, and this is a strategic move to make that dream reality.”

Moore said that while any Liberty alumnus who intends on serving overseas is welcome to apply for the loan forgiveness program, “we believe this program will encourage more students to focus their service on the front lines of the Great Commission: translating the Bible in a language in which it has never been before, ministering to unreached/unengaged people groups, or serving within the 10/40 window.”

Like the recently announced missionary scholarship, which grants full tuition to children of missionaries with the organizations Liberty works most closely with, this loan forgiveness program was initiated by President Jerry Falwell, Jr. at the November 2013 board meeting.

To qualify for the loan forgiveness program, a graduate must, at minimum, be accepted into an evangelical-sending agency and moving toward long-term field placement. Payments under this program begin once the alumnus is serving in the field. Applicants should demonstrate proactive engagement with a sending agency prior to graduation. Priority will be given to graduates with a global studies major or minor.

Applicants are considered twice a year before recommendations are made to the university’s enrollment management division for a compliance review and final approval. The review requires that students not be delinquent or in default on any federal student loans.

To receive an application, contact the Center for Global Engagement via email at CGE@liberty.edu.

Learn more about the missionary scholarship or loan forgiveness program at www.Liberty.edu/MissionsScholarships.

For more information on tuition, scholarships, and grants, visit Liberty’s Financial Aid homepage.

• No matter what a student’s abilities or education may be, Liberty believes that every Christian is called to follow the Great Commission and engage in global work. Liberty’s Center for Global Engagement strives to both educate and engage Liberty students in global affairs through academic programs, short-term mission trips, cross-cultural internships, and other resources. It seeks to provide students with the resources to tap into a multitude of opportunities around the world, utilizing their unique skills and personal passions to go into the world and make disciples for Christ.